Wheel-chair



NU- 52'|,|73- Patented Mar. I4, |899. E. B. TAYLOR.

WHEEL CHAIR.

(Application 1ed Jan. 26, 1899 5 Sheets-Sheet l.

(No Model.)

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Patented Mar. I4, |899. E. B. TAYLOR.

WHEEL CHAIR.

(Application led Jan. 26,l 1899.)

5 Sheets- Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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Patented Mar. I4, |899. E. B. TAYLOR.

WHEEL cHAlR.

(Application led Jan. 26, 1899.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

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Patented Mar. I4, 1899.

No. 62|,|7s.

vE. B. TAYLR.

WHEEL CHAIR..

(Application led Jan. 2B, 1899.) (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

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N- 62mm. Patented Mar. I4, |899.. E. B. TAYLOR.

WHEEL CHAIR.

:Application led Jan. 26, 1899.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

(No Modem ATENT EDVARD B. TAYLOR, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

WHEEL-CHAIR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 621,178, dated March 14, 1.899. Application filed January 26,1899. Serial No. 703,435. (No model.)

'the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which corresponding nu merals of reference in the different figures indicate like parts.

The object of my invention is to so construct a wheeled chair for the use of children or invalids that it may be readily folded into a compact space, so as to be carried, like a Satchel, upon journeys or stored or otherwise disposed of, so as'to be out of the way when not in use.

To these ends my invention consists in the combination of elements hereinafter more particularly described, and definitely pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a central vertical longitudinal sectional view of a chair embodying the features of my invention, the same being shown with the wheels adjusted ready for use. Fig. 2 is a perspective view in detail of the mechanism for locking the lateral braces in place. Fig. 3 is 'a rear view of said chair as it would appear when in use. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of said device as it would appear when the operative parts are folded within the case. Fig. 5 is abottom view of the folded structure in which the outer casing is broken away to show the Wheels folded within. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail View, partly in section, showing the construction of the folding brackets or arms to which the wheels are attached. Fig. 7 is a like view showing a modified construction. Fig. 8 is an enlarged view in detail of a portion of the bottom, showing modified means for shifting the brackets. Fig. 9 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of a modified construction in which three wheels are employed instead of four, and Fig. 10 is a front view of said three-wheeled structure.

Referring to the drawings, the main body of my improved device consists of a bottom 1, having a back 2 and sides 3 3 rigidly attached thereto, so as not only to form a frame to which the movable parts may be secured, but to provide a place for the usual cushioned seat 4. Extending downwardly from the bottom l isa front board 5, which is rigidly attached at the ends to depending side boards 6 6, which form a part of the inclosing case when the parts are folded, as hereinafter stated. f

Hinged at 7,@Figs. l and 4, isa front board 8, which is somewhat narrower than the sides 3 3 and to the edge of which is in turn hinged, by means of hinges 9, asecondary wider board IO, which is adapted to hang downwardly in the manner shown in Fig. I when the chair is in use. A foot-board ll is hinged to the board IO so as to extend outwardly in front and assume a substantially horizontal position to serve as a foot-rest when unfolded. A small bracket 13 beneath forms a support for said foot-rest. y l

Hinged at I4, Figs. 1 and 4, to the rear of the bottom lis a board 15, corresponding substantally in width to the board 5 and adapt ed to either stand up against the back 2, as shown in Fig. l, or fold down in the manner represented in Figs. 4 and 5. An extension I6 is hinged at 17, Figs. 1, 3, and 4, and when secured in position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, forms the back proper of the chair. Folding side boards 1S 18 are hinged at 19 to the sides 3 3 and their rear upper corners are adapted to be locked to the folding back 1G by means of pins 2O 2O and hooks or keepers 2l 2l, pivotally secured by means of screws 22 22 to the back I6 and preferably provided with rollers 23, of leather or other soft material, so as to press against and secure the side boards I8 in position without vmarring them. A bent bar 24, Figs. I, 3, 4, and 5, is rigidly attached to the top of the foldingback 16 and is intended to serve both as a means for pushing the chair, for locking, and as a handle for carrying the case whenv folded.

I will first describe the manner in which the case is folded, after which I will describe the wheel mechanism and the manner in which it is folded and inclosed within the case.

The part Sis lifted up ina position at right angles to the bottom 1, the part 1I folded against the part 10, while the latter is folded upon the cushion, as shown in Fig. 4. The fastenings 21, Fig. 3, are then released and the sides 18 18 folded down over the cushion and part 10, as shown in Fig. 4. The height of the parts 18 is one-half the width of the chair between the parts 3 3, so that when folded as described the edges meet in the middle, where they may be fastened by means of any suitable lock or catch. The back is then lowered and the device inverted, so that the wheels and their supports may be folded against the bottom, ,as hereinafter stated, when they are inclosed by means of the back parts or sections 15 and 16, the'former being folded between the rear ends of the side pieces G 6, while the latter is placed between the lower edges of said side pieces and in engagement with the bottom of the part 5, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 4. It will thus be seen that the case when folded is formed into a compact rectangularstructure havinga central partition formed by the bottom l, thus providing two compartments, one of which is occupied by the cushion and the other by the wheels and their supports, so that the whole may be carried like an ordinary Satchel.

I will now describe the manner of attaching the wheels and wheel-supports so that they may be folded within the case.

In the preferable construction shown in Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 5 I attach guides or ways 25 25 (better shown in Figs. 3 and 5) to the bottom 1, said ways being extended longitudinally along the outer edges of said bottom and rigidly attached thereto in any well-known way. Said ways or guides are provided with laterally-extended flanges 26 2G, Figs. 1, 3, 9, and 10, upon which sliding brackets 27 27, having counterpart flanges 28, are placed so as to engage and be held in place by the flanges 2G, while permitting longitudinal movement thereon. 'Hinged at 29 to the brackets 27 are arms or supports 30, to the lower ends of which are attached short wristpins or axles, upon which are placed wheels 3l 3l. Arms 32 32, Figs. l, 3, 4, and 5, are by preference rigidly attached to the permanent back piece 2 to aid in locking and supporting the arms 30 in an upright position.`

Said arms are bent forward at the bottom, as shown at 33, Fig. 1, and a notch 34, Fig. 5, is formed therein so as to receive and engage the arms 30 when in the position shown in Fig. 1. As a further and more essential reinforcement of the arms 30, as well as for locking the same in their rearward position, I provide a brace 35, which is hinged at 36 to the bottom 1, said brace being provided with laterally-extended arms 37 37, one of which is shown in enlarged detail in Fig. 2. The arms 37 are adapted to rest upon flanges 38, Figs. 1, 2, and 9, formed upon the lower portion of the arm 30, and hooks 39 are adapted to pass into openings or loops 40, (better shown in Fig. 2,) thereby preventing the arms 30 from spreading or from being brought closer together. In order to lock the arms 37 in the position shown in Fig. l, I place acircularbutton or disk 4l, made of india-rubber, leather, or other yielding material, upon a pin 42 immediately above the flange 38 and near to a shoulder 43, Fig. 2, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the distance from said parts being such that the act of pushing the arm 37 into place against the shoulder 43 will cause the disk 42 to be compressed, and its subsequent expansion serves to lock said arm in place under all ordinary conditions; but the arm may be easily disconnected when desired by reversing the operation.

Extending forwardly and inclined downwardly from the lower ends of the arms 30 are extensions 44, Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 5, which are preferably hinged at 45 45 to further forward extensions 4G 4G, which are provided with rigid axles 47 47, Fig. 5, upon which are mounted the forward wheels 48 48 of the chair. The hinges 45 are provided with the usual knuckles or stops 49, which serve to hold them rigidly in position when extended, as shown in Fig. 1, but leave them free to be folded in an opposite direction.

The forward part of the chair -is supported upon the wheels 48 48 by means of an inverted-U-shaped brace 50, hinged at 5l to the bottom 1 of the chair. rlhe brace 50 is provided with laterally-extended arms 37 37 and hooks 39 39, which are identical with the arms and hooks 37 and 39, respectively, upon the back-brace 35, and are locked in the same manner against stops 43 by means of yielding disks 4l, and being thus identical the same numerals are used to designate the parts.

The wheels and parts connected therewith are folded in the followingmanner: The chair being inverted, the arms 37 of the braces 35 and 50, respectively, are first released from the locking-disks, the braces folded one upon the other against the bottom, the supports 30 moved upon the guides 25 to positions at or near the forward ends of said guides, the arms 46 are moved upon the hinges 45 to the respective positions shown in Fig. 5, and, finally, the two sets of wheels are folded in wardly upon each other by a lateral movement of the arms 30 upon the hinges 29, as clearly represented in Figs. 4 and 5. \Vhcn the wheels are thus folded against the bottom, the case may in turn be folded in the -manner hereinbefore described.

In order to adapt the chair to the use of adults and children or persons of varying size, I provide a removable adjustable back, consisting of a board 52, (indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1,) provided with laterally-projecting pins adapted to lit holes 53, formed in the side boards 18 an d located substantially as shown.

In Figs. G to 8, inclusive, I have shown modified means for enabling the wheels' to be moved to a central position in lieu of sliding the bracket 27 forward and back, as shown in Fig. l. In Fig. G the bracket 27 is connected IOO IIO

with a plate 53, which is rigidly attached to the bottom l by means of an intermediate link 54, hinged at 55 56. When the brace 35 is locked in position by the disks 4l, as described, the bracket27 is held rigidly in place by the link 54; but as soon as the brace is unlocked the bracket is free to be moved forward by means of the double-jointed connection described. The joint between the parts 44 and 46 may also be constructed like that shown at 57. In Fig. 7 I have shown the bracket 27 rigidly attached to the bottom l, while the part 30 is hinged at 29. What corresponds to the parts 30, 44, and 46, respectively, is made from one piece of bent wire or tubing, between the parallel portions of which are inserted blocks S 59, having axles 60 6l, upon which the front and rear wheels may be mounted. Said blocks are provided with grooves,as indicated,to receive the wires, and may be readily moved to the positions shown in dotted lines, when the whole may be folded against the bottom, as in the other described structures. brackets 27 is pivotally attached at 62 to a link 63, which is in turn pivotally attached to a pin 64, secured to the bottom. W-hen the brackets are placed in the respective positions shown in full lines and the brace 35,

Fig. l, is locked in position, the brackets maintain their respective positions; but as soon as the brace is detached the bracket may be moved forward to the position shown in dotted lines, when the wheels may be folded against the bottom, as in the other constructions.

In- Figs. 9 and lO I have shown a construction in which three wheels only are employed.v A vertical standard is hinged to the bottom at 66 and is braced laterally by means of arms 67 67, also hinged to the bottom l at 68 68. Hinged to the support 65 at 69 69, Fig. 9, is a triangular-shaped bracket 70, which when adjusted as shown is adapted to maintain said upright in a vertical position. When the bracket is turned upon the hinges 69, both upright and bracket may be folded back against the bottom, and in order that the wheel 7l may lie flatly against said bottom the'head 72 of the fork 73, in which it is mounted, is swiveled in a suitable bearing in lthe upright 65, as indicated in dotted lines at 74.

The locking of the case when folded may be accomplished in any well-known way by means of hooks or catches. In Figs. 4 and 5 I have indicated a fastening device consisting of bent arms 75 75, which are rigidly attached to the front edge of the bottom l and are provided with disks 76, of leather or otheryielding material, on their outer ends, which engage the bar 24, as shown.

The advantages of a wheeled chair adapted to be folded inthe manner described are too obvious to require special mention.

claim- In Fig. 8 each of the' l. A folding wheeled chair provided with hinged wheel-supports, adjustable interlocking braces adapted to lock said wheel-supports in operative positions respectively, and means for moving said wheels to positions midway between the front and rear of the chair, whereby all of the wheels may be folded one y upon the other against the bottom of the chair,

substantially as described.

2. A folding wheeled chair provided with hinged wheel-supports, adjustable folding interlocking braces adapted to lock said wheelsupports in operative positions respectively, means for moving said wheels to positions midway between the front and rear of the chair, a double-jointed hinged back adapted to fold and form, two sides of a folding case, permanentside pieces extending above and below the chair-bottom, a permanent back piece eX- tending above, a permanent front piece eX- Ytending below said bottom, a supplemental double-jointed folding front piece and folding side pieces hinged to the upper edges of the permanent side pieces and arranged'to fold toward each other so as to jointly form one side of the folding case, substantially as described.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination with a chair-bottom having permanent side, front and back pieces, folding back, front and side pieces, all adapted to form an inclosing case with compartments upon opposite sides of said bottom, of hinged or folding wheel-supports, means for moving the wheels to a position substantially midway between the front and rear of the chair-bottom and braces hinged to the chair-bottom, said braces being extended laterally and provided with means for locking the same to the wheel-supports at or near the wheel-axles, substantially as described. Y

4. In a chair of the class described, the combination with thel bottom proper of the forwardly-movable brackets 27, wheel-supports 30 hinged thereto, and a folding braceA hinged to said chair bottom, said folding brace bein g provided with laterally-extended arms and means for detachably locking the same to said wheel-supports, substantially as described.

5. In a chair of the class described,the combination with the bottom proper of the brackets 27, hinged wheel-supports 30, means for connecting the lower ends of the wheelsupports 30 with the forward wheels, folding braces 35 50, each having laterally-extended arms and means upon the parts to which the rear and front wheels are attachedfor detach- 'ably interloekin g with said laterally-extended arms at or near the axles of said wheels, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

6. In a chair of the class described, the combination with the folding wheel-supports 'of braceshinged to the chair-bottom, said braces being provided with the laterally-extended arms 37, and hooks 39, suitable stops Ico IIO

specification, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses, this 23d day of January, 1899.

EDVARD B. TAYLOR.

Witnesses:

D. H. FLETCHER, FLORENCE KING. 

